Environmental Studies

Directors of undergraduate studies: Michael Fotos for B.A. students, Kealoha Freidenburg for B.S. students; www.yale.edu/evst

Environmental Studies offers the opportunity to examine human relations with their environments from diverse perspectives. The major encourages interdisciplinary study in (1) social sciences, including anthropology, political science, law, economics, and ethics; (2) humanities, to include history, literature, religion, and the arts; and (3) natural sciences, such as biology, ecology, human health, geology, and chemistry. Students work with faculty advisers and the directors of undergraduate studies (DUS) to concentrate on some of the most pressing environmental and sustainability problems of our time: energy and climate change, food and agriculture, urbanism, biodiversity and conservation, human health, sustainable natural resource management, justice, markets, and governance. 

Students may pursue either a B.A. or a B.S. degree within Environmental Studies. The B.A. program is intended for students who wish to concentrate in the social sciences and humanities. The B.S. program is intended for students interested in the natural sciences, especially fields such as environmental health and medicine, ecology, energy and climate change. Both degree programs culminate in a senior essay project that is commonly preceded by independent summer research.

Students should declare a major in Environmental Studies before the end of the second term of junior year.

Students are held to the prerequisite and major requirements in effect when they declared their major. However, with approval from the DUS and/or course instructors, updated prerequisite and major requirements, effective for the 2026-2027 academic year and beyond, may be fulfilled by students who declared the major in a prior term.

Prerequisites 

For students who declare the major in the B.A. degree program after July 1, 2026, there is one required prerequisite, S&DS 1000 or higher or completion of the Certificate in Data Science. 

The B.S. degree program has prerequisites in mathematics, chemistry, life sciences, and a natural science lab. The prerequisites include a term course in mathematics, physics, or statistics selected from MATH 1120 or higher, or PHYS 1700 or higher, or S&DS 1000 or higher, or completion of the Certificate in Data Science; the two-term lecture sequence in chemistry or, for students qualifying for advanced placement in chemistry, one term of CHEM 1670 or higher; the two-credit BIOL sequence BIOL 1010, 1020, 1030 and 1040; and a natural science lab such as those listed on the Environmental Studies website or by searching Yale Course Search (YC EVST BS Natural Sci Lab).

Students in the B.S. program are advised to take chemistry and biology during the first year before enrolling in the EVST core courses in the natural sciences. It is recommended but not required that students complete the prerequisites by the end of their sophomore year.

Requirements of the Major

See Links to attributes indicating courses approved for the Environmental Studies major requirements.

Students who declare the major in either degree program after July 1, 2026, are required to take 1 core course in the humanities and 1 core course in the social sciences, instead of 2 core courses in the humanities or social sciences.

B.A. degree program In addition to the prerequisite, the B.A. degree requires 13 course credits, consisting of 5 core courses, 6 concentration courses (see Areas of concentration), and the senior requirement. 

The core courses include one core course in the humanities, one core course in the social sciences, and one core course in each of three natural science categories (life science and ecology; earth and climate science; and physical science, technology, and environment).  Students may select core courses from among the list of approved core courses posted on the Environmental Studies website or by searching Yale Course Search (YC EVST Core BA Life Sci, YC EVST Core BA Climate Sci, YC EVST Core BA Physical Sci, YC EVST Core Humanities, and YC EVST Core Social Sci). 

B.S. degree program In addition to the prerequisites, the B.S. degree requires at least 12 course credits, consisting of the core requirements, the concentration, and the two-term senior requirement.

The core courses include one core course in the humanities, one core course in the social sciences, and two natural science core courses from among the list of approved core courses posted on the Environmental Studies website or by searching Yale Course Search (YC EVST Core BS Natural Sci, YC EVST Core Humanities, and YC EVST Core Social Sci). 

Areas of concentration Students plan their concentration in consultation with the DUS. A concentration is defined as 6 courses that provide analytical depth in a particular environmental problem or issue of interest, as well as disciplinary expertise. Concentrations include biodiversity and conservation, climate change and energy, environmental humanities, environmental justice, environmental policy, food and agriculture, human health and environment, sustainability and natural resources, and urban environments. Students also can design a unique concentration within the major, in consultation with the DUS. 

For the B.A. degree, one of these 6 courses must be an advanced seminar (YC EVST Advanced Seminar) that exposes students to primary literature, extensive writing requirements, and experience with research methods. Another of the 6 courses must be either an additional advanced seminar (YC EVST Advanced Seminar) or an intermediate-level or higher-level course in quantitative research methods (YC EVST BA QR Methods).

For the B.S. degree, two of the 6 courses must provide interdisciplinary context to the concentration, and three of the 6 courses must have the science (SC) distributional designation and be numbered 2000 or higher. 

Credit/D/Fail No course taken Credit/D/Fail may be applied toward the requirements of the major, including prerequisites.

Outside credit Courses taken at another institution or during an approved summer or term-time study abroad program may count toward the major requirements with DUS approval. 

Senior Requirement

B.A. degree program For the B.A. degree, students most often complete one term of EVST 4960, a colloquium in which they write their senior essay. Students writing the one-term essay must also complete an additional advanced seminar in the environment. The additional advanced seminar is in addition to the six-course concentration requirement. Two-term senior research projects require the permission of the DUS before the end of the second term of the junior year. 

B.S. degree program For the B.S. degree, students complete two terms of EVST 4960.

Advising 

Summer Environmental Fellowship During the spring term, EVST majors may apply for the Summer Environmental Fellowship (SEF) to gain experience in the field through research or internships in an area pertinent to their academic development or their senior essay project. Sophomores and juniors may arrange internships with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or corporations. Rising seniors typically focus on research for their senior essay. You can find a list of past SEF awards on the Environmental Studies website.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites B.A.—S&DS 1000 or higher, or completion of the Certificate in Data Science; B.S.— one statistics, math, or physics course from MATH 1120 or higher, or PHYS 1700 or higher, or S&DS 1000 or higher, or completion of the Certificate in Data Science; two-term lecture sequence in chemistry, or CHEM 1670 or higher; BIOL 1010, 1020, 1030 and 1040, and one natural science lab

Number of courses B.A.—13 course credits, beyond prereq, but incl senior req; B.S.—12 course credits, beyond prereqs, but incl senior req

Distribution of courses B.A.—5 core courses as specified; 6 courses in area of concentration, including 2 adv seminar or 1 adv seminar and 1 intmd or higher-level course in quantitative research methods as specified; B.S.—4 core courses as specified; 6 courses in area of concentration, 3 of which must have SC designation, numbered 2000 or higher, and 2 must provide interdisciplinary context as specified

Senior requirement B.A.—one-term senior essay, EVST 4960 and an adv seminar in the environment or, with petition to the DUS before the end of the junior year, a two-term research project; B.S.—two-term research project, EVST 4960

Prerequisites 

B.A. Degree 

  • S&DS 1000 or higher, or completion of the Certificate in Data Science 

B.S. Degree 

Requirements 

B.A. Degree 

13 credits, beyond the prerequisite and including the senior requirement

  • 5 core courses, including
    • 1 course in the humanities
    • 1 course in the social sciences 
    • 1 course in each of three natural science categories: life science and ecology; earth and climate science; and physical science, technology and environment
  • 6 courses in area of concentration, including 1 advanced seminar and an additional advanced seminar or an intermediate level or higher course in quantitative research methods 
  • EVST 4960 and 1 advanced (senior) seminar with a focus on the environment 

B.S. Degree 

12 course credits, beyond the prerequisites and including the senior requirement

  • 4 core courses, including:
    • 1 core course in the humanities
    • 1 core course in the social sciences
    • 2 natural science core courses 
  • 6 courses in area of concentration
    • 3 of which must have SC distributional designation and be numbered 2000 or higher
    • 2 must provide interdisciplinary context 
    • 1 elective
  • two-term research project, EVST 4960

Environmental Studies offers an interdisciplinary approach to the complex relationships between humans and the natural and built environment. The Environmental Studies curriculum includes the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities. Earth and life sciences provide the means to observe and assess environmental change. Social sciences such as anthropology, political science, and economics enable students to examine how human societies shape environments, and the ways that environmental factors influence communities, governments, and social institutions. The humanities—including history, literature, ethics, religion, and the fine arts—allow students to consider the origins and influence of human values and practices, and the ways that nature has been perceived, depicted, and incorporated into culture.

Environmental Studies students may elect to pursue either a B.A. or a B.S. degree. The B.A. program is intended for those students interested in an interdisciplinary exploration of environmental issues. The B.S. program is designed for students who want to pursue training in interdisciplinary environmental science. Both programs require students to identify a thematic concentration defined as six courses that provide analytical depth in a particular environmental problem or issue of interest, as well as disciplinary expertise. 

Common concentrations within the major include: biodiversity and conservation, climate change and energy, environmental humanities, environmental justice, environmental policy, food and agriculture, human health and environment, sustainability and natural resources, and urban environments. Students can also work with the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) to design their own unique concentration.

Environmental Studies is particularly rewarding for students with a passion for environmental issues who wish to study environmental problems and solutions in an interdisciplinary manner. Students frequently undertake research and internships during the summer with support from the Summer Environmental Fellowship. 

Environmental Studies majors also conduct substantial independent research, which culminates in a rewarding senior essay. Students considering the Environmental Studies major should complete the science prerequisites as early as possible in their Yale career, ideally before the end of the sophomore year. For more detailed information about Environmental Studies prerequisites, as well as requirements for both the B.A. and B.S. degrees, please see the Environmental Studies website.

First-year students interested in the major are encouraged to consult with the DUS or the Environmental Studies Program Manager to learn more about the major.

FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Professors Mark Ashton (School of the Environment), Laura Barraclough (American Studies), Michelle Bell (School of the Environment), Ned Blackhawk (History and American Studies), Mark Bradford (School of the Environment), Derek Briggs (Earth and Planetary Sciences), Craig Brodersen (School of the Environment), Gary Brudvig (Chemistry, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry), Ingrid Burke (School of the Environment), Deborah Coen (History), Liza Comita (School of the Environment), Michael Dove (School of the Environment, Anthropology), Anna Dyson (Architecture, School of the Environment), Keller Easterling (Architecture), Menachem Elimelech (Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering), Daniel Esty (School of the Environment, Law School), Eduardo Fernandez-Duque (Anthropology), Kenneth Gillingham (School of the Environment, Economics, School of Management), Walter Jetz (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of the Environment), Matthew Kotchen (School of the Environment, Economics), Douglas Kysar (Law School), William Lauenroth (School of the Environment), Xuhui Lee (School of the Environment), Alan Mikhail (History), Jeffrey Park (Earth and Planetary Sciences), Stephen Pitti (History, American Studies), Alan Plattus (Architecture), David Post (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), Jeffrey Powell (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of the Environment), Daniel Prober (Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, and Physics), Jennifer Raab (History of Art), Peter Raymond (School of the Environment), Paul Sabin (History), James Saiers (School of the Environment), Oswald Schmitz (School of the Environment, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), Karen Seto (School of the Environment), David Skelly (School of the Environment, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), Dorceta Taylor (School of the Environment), Gerald Torres (School of the Environment, Law), Paul Turner (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), David Vasseur (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), John Wargo (School of the Environment), John Warner (History of Medicine, American Studies, History), Harvey Weiss (Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Anthropology), Julie Zimmerman (Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering)

Associate Professors  Paulo Brando (School of the Environment), Anjelica Gonzalez (Biomedical Engineering), Lisa Messeri (Anthropology), Krystal Pollitt (Public Health, Engineering and Applied Science), William Rankin (History, History of Science), Elihu Rubin (Architecture), Nicholas Ryan (Economics) 

Assistant Professors Daniel Carrion (Public Health), Jenn Coughlan (Ecology and Evolutionary Biology), Sparkle Malone (School of the Environment), Luke Sanford (School of the Environment)

Senior Lecturers Shimon Anisfeld, Amity Doolittle, Marlyse Duguid, Rob Klee, Linda Puth, Simon Queenborough

Lecturers Alan Burdick, Mary Beth Decker, Michael Fotos, Kealoha Freidenburg, Gordon Geballe, Jennifer Marlon, Joshua Moyer, Michael Oristaglio, Catherine Pomposi, Carl Zimmer

See the Roadmap Library for a visual representation of the major.

View Courses